Automatic baling-machine.



E. A. COLLINS.

AUTOeMlC BALING MACHINE.

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AUTOMATIC ALlNG MACHINE.

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Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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R. A. COLLINS.

AUTOMATIC SAUNG MACHINE.

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R. A` COLLINS.

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R. A. COLLINS.

AUTMATIC BAUNG MACHlNE.

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Patent/ed Feb. 1, 1916.

9 SHEETS-SHEET R. A. COLLINS. AUTOMATIC BALING MACHINE. APPLICATION TlLED MAY T5. \9\5.

LJ Patented Feb. l, 1916.

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ROY A. COLLINS, OF GEESTER, MISSOURI.

Specification ofLuttei-s Estant.

Patented Feb. 1, .1916.

To all whom it mag/concern:

Be it known that I, Roi' A. COLLINS, a citizen of the 'United States, residing at fiers-ter, county of St. Clair, and State of iiissouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic 'Balingiiachines, of which the following is a specificaticn.

This invention relates to automatic baling machines ,and embodies improvements on the automatic baling machine set forth in my Patent No. 1,040,278. dated'Oetober 8, 1912.

The present improvements relate yto the construction and operation of -the feeder for deliverying thehiiy from the hopper or pan into the up )er receiving chamber andto the control of t ie feeder by the vertically movable compressor, whereby the hay is prevented fromi aching and interfering with tho downwart movement of the. compressor and when the compressor deseen( s, the

feeder is rendered inoperative until the compresser returns lto normal position. The feeding operation by which the ha Y is taken from thel piin or hopper and de ivcred 'to the receiving chamber is much more reliably carried on than with the feeding mechanism of my former patent.

Further iinlirovements embodied in the )resent invention relate to means for locking the plunger while the b ale is being wired and to effect a final compression of thc bale; and also to start it out of the baling chamher after it luis been wired. The improvements for this purpose impart a. final advance to the rack, and hence the lunfrex, to effect a final compression of the adembefore it is wired and they then mechanically loclt the rack and plunger to hold the plunger stationary while the bale is being wired and afterward vive an initial shove or movement to the racTi to start the bale out of the compression chamber, after it has heen wired.

.\l v im rovements for effecting the wiring of the ha c, the clamping, twisting and severing of the wire, and the retention of the loisiwire end from the reel embody novel operating mechanisms for the erosswise moving needles, for the looping or longitudinally moving needles. as also forthe wire clamps, twistcrs and cutters by which I dispense with ouite a number of mechanical movements and parts employed for the operation of these devices in the automatic ,about the baling machine of my Patent No. 1,040,278 and by which I simplify and render more precise and reliable the operation of these devices and control and operate them from a single shaft, and in certain instances, by 'a single cam on sai'd shaft. An improvement in the wire holding part of the crosswise operating needles enables me to dispense with the mechanism employed in my patent `for giving these crosswise operating needles a quarter turn and to bring roper positioning of the wire for looping y the longitudinally moving needles without resorting to any turning 'mechanism for the crosswise movingr needles, lresulting in greater reliability of operiition in 'that connection.

The present improvements contemplate, further, changes in the construction of the wire cutters and holders: the means for opening and closing the horizontal gates that separate the receiving chamber from .the compression chamber; the catch releasin'gmechanism'for thc natc at the end cf the ballng chamber; and tche automatic means which is actuated by the pressure of the bale in the recei .fing chamber to start the operation of the mechanisms for the purpose of ioreing'the hay into the. compression cham- 'ben Sach improvements as have not been specifically hereinbefore referred to will more 'fully and'at'lame appear from the detailed description of tie embodiment of the iinprovements which I have selected as illustrating the invention and which ap )ear in 'the accompanying drawings, in whicli- Figaro l'is a side elevation, the coin- '.pressor being raised; Fig. 2. a plan view; lFig. 3, an e eration at the delivery end of the compression chamber. the cam being broken away; Fig. 4, an enlarged side. elevation at the delivery end. showin" the clamps, twisters, cutters and longitudinally moving needle; Fig. 5, a detail perspective of the master gear and the mechanisms that control the plunger, compressor` gates and bale wiring mechanism; Fig. (i. a detail elevation of the devices for operating the plunger and locking it; Fig. 7, a phin view thereof, certain parts being in section; Fig. 8. an edge view looking toward the letthand edge of the gearing of Fig. 5; Fig. 9, a side elevation of certain gearing correlated to that of Fi .6; Fig. 10` a rear elevation of `the feeder. tie receiving chamber being in lilo lit]

section and certain parts broken awa Fig. 11, a bottom view of the baling ciambcr showing the latch and the mechanism for turnin' the twister wheel; Fig. 12, a detail view otf the cutter and its operating mechanism; Fi 13, a similar view of the wire clamps; iii'. .14, a like view showing the twister and the mechanism for bodily movimy it toward and away from the side of the baling box or chamber; Fig. 15, a detail view of one of the plates of the cutter; Fig. 16, a detail of the master gear and certain latching mechanism; Fig. 1T, a detail view of the false end for the receiving chamber and the spring-actuated shaft; Fig. 1S, a detail of a certain pinion; Fig. 19, a detail of another mutilated gear; Fig. 20, a detail of thc latching mechanism for the master gear; Fig. 21, a detail side elevation of the end of one of the crosswise operating needles, full lines at .240 showing the balinL wire when the needle is retracted and dotted lines representing the position of the baling wire when the needle is projected across the rear end of the bale; Figs. 22, S23 and 24, detail sections on corresponding lines of Fi Q1; Fig. 25, a detail of the gearing whici operates the twister wheels; Fig. 26, a face view of the plunger; and Fig. 2T, a plan view thereof.

T he machine will be suitably supported on a wheeled truck, by preference, so that it may be readily move(` fromvplace to place according to conditions of use, but it may be stationarily supported in any desired manner.

The baling box or chamber is composed of an upper receiving chamber 1 and a lower compression chamber 2 having the same. side walls, closed at the compression end bv a gate hereinafter described, open at the other end, and having an open top. The balin' box is subdivided into the aforesaid chambers by the horizontally movable gates 3 and 4 which are adapted to slide through slots in the walls thereof, these gates bein normally closed while the hay is bein feg into the receiving chamber and being a apted to automatically separate or open to permit the hay to be condensed into the compression chamber below said gates at a certain time for subsequent compression by the plunger into a bale.

Condensing of the hay and its passing into the compression chamber is accom plished by a vertically movable top or compressor 5 carried by cross bars (l sliding in vertical guides 7, the parts being sov timed and related in their operation that this comressing top docs not interfere with the iiorizontally movable gestes. The plunger 8 is movable in the compression chamber and suitabl lits it, being provided with a rack 9 whici is operated at certain times as will more fully appear hereinafter.

Extending across the machine at the receiving end thereof is a drive shaft 10 which is provided with a suitable belt pulley or other means for its rotation from a suitable motor or engine. The shaft carries a sprocket wheel 11 which is connected by sprocket chain 12 to another sprocket on a crank shaft 13 which is mounted in brackets 14 secured to the sides of the receiving chamber 1. The pan or hopper 15 which ori inally receives the hay` 1s mounted on roc ters 10 so that it can vibrate to and fro in relation to the receiving chamber. Such vibratory motion is effected by links 1T pivotcd t0 the sides of the pan or hopper 15 and connected to cranks 18 at the ends of crank shaft 13. from end to end. the corrugations ruiming transversely, and its forward end is contracted at 19 and loosely entered at 20 between the extensions 1 of the receiving chamber 1. The extensions 1 are located beyond the end of the compressor 5 and the knife 5 carried thereby so as to avoid interference therewith at any time.

The shaft 13 has oppositely set cranks 21, 22, which carry feeder arms or packers S23, 24 adapted to take into or engage the hay in the iopper or pan 15 and to feed it toward the receiving chamber 1 under the compressor 5. These packers are normally arranged to swing t0 and fr0, as shown in Fig. 1, and to that end, their upper ends are connected by rods or links 5 and :26 to brackets 5 carried by the compressor 5. Consequently, when the compressor 5 is in its uppermost position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 10, as when the receiving chamber 1 is intended to receive hay from the pan or hopper 15, the arms or packers 23, 2l will feed the hay from the hopper or pan 15 into the receiving chamber and the throw of the cranks is such that this will be ell'ected in a regular and rapid manner. Feeding is clfected because the oints of thc packers are disposed downward-ly in position to engaffe the hay. ll'hen the compressor 5 deseen s, however, as when the receiving chamber 1 has been suitably filled with hay and such hay is to be pushed into the compressing chamber by the compressor 5, for the subseuent formation of the bale, the descent of tlhe com iressor 5 pulls down the links 25, 26, there )y elevating the points` or free ends of the packers 23, 24, so that they do not engage the hay and consequently all feeding ceases until the compressor 5 has ascended and resumed its normal position, as shown in Fig. 1.

The shaft 10 carries a pinion :2T which meshes with a gear 28 on a shaft 211. immediately next the gear 2S is a iinion il() which meshes with a gear 31 on a shaft 32. Loose on the end of the shaft 82 and opposite the gear 31 is an operating gear wheel `l0 which rl`he hopper is corrugated a-iveiiei is made fast to, or disengaged from; the shaft 32 according to the position'of'a 'latch 41 which is pivoted to the-gearat42land is pressed by a spring -13 so-thatitsnormal tendency is' for its tooth LMfto vengage the toothed wheel 15 fast on the'shaft2. This latchiag or release of the wlieelr49 is controlled' by a trip 1S mounted to slide verticallfy inl abar 49 on the frame and suspended by spring 50.4 The latch is operated by a rod or lever 51 which is fulcrumed at 52 on the fraaie of the machine and has anl end 53 positioned to be engaged by the cranlr 54 of shaft 55 which is joiiriialed in the frame of theinachine and extends thereunder; said shaft having a crank arm 50' on its opposite end, the cranks` 51 and 50 being connected by rods 5i' to the rear cross bar Uthat operates the compressor There is a rear crank shaft 5R whose cranks .'19 are connected to the compressori by rods 00 secured to the other cross bar (i. A shaft 01 extending lengthwise under the machine is connectedby gears 0'2 to the respective shafts 55 and 5S, whereby on tuinin of the crank shaft 55, the compressor i' will be operated, and during such operation the end 53 of the rod or lever 51 will be engaged by the crank 54, raising the trip 48 and releasing the latch 11 to permit it to be locked to the shaft 32, thereby causing the operating wheel 40 to turn the shaft 32 and bring about certain operations which will appear hereinafter.

rihe gates 3 and 4 are operated by crank shafts 01 and 05 whose cranks are connected thereto b v connectinlf.,1 rods or pitmen 00 and 0i'. cross shaft 0S is connected by gearing 00 with crank shaft 05 and by gears 79 and T1 with crank shaft 0-1, whereby the gates 3 and 1 are simultaneouslyr opened or closed. The gear 71 is driven, to 'open and close the gates` as hereinafter set forth.

Referring to Figs. 1, 5, 0, 7, there are two `shafts 105 and 100 extending crosswise of the machine at the receiving end aud mounted in suitable bearings, the former of which has a` pinion i' meshing with the rack 9 which is connected to the plunger 8. The rack is held on the pinion 10T by a ruido roller 10S which is carried by a suitable shaftl journaled in the frame-work. The `shaft 105 carries two gears 109 and 110, gear 110 being adapted to mesh with the gear segments 111 and 112 of the "ear 40, at different times. '1`he shaft 100 has two gears 113 and 111. the latter meshing with the gear 109 and the former being adapted to be turned b v a gear segment 115 which is secured to the inner face of gear in oti'set relation thereto and is provided with fingers 1113 and 11T at its ends. The shafts 105 and 100 are driven solely from the gear 40 and through them the gear 10T is turned in one direction or the other and to a greater or lesser degree to accomplish the advance of thef'plunger` in the compression chamber, thestoppage of the plunger while the baie is beingwiredfor bound, the further advancevof the plun r on the completion of thowiring@ oi" bint ingof the bale to' eject the completed bale, and the return of the plunger to normal retracted position ready for compression of another bale.

On the outer faccof thegcar 10 there is provided af-nearly completov circular blank raised `track'llS'. Laterally offset therefrom isftlie'geai segment 119 which is of a length substantially the same as the dist-ance between' theends of the-track 11S, or, the distance ofthe break? therein. The. gear 40 luis arela-tiively long gear segment 111 and, opposite ony its periphery, a shorter gear segment 112. both o which are adapted to mesh, at different: times, with tho gear 110. The gear segment 115 begins, in slightly overlapped relation, where the gear segment 111 stops and ends at some distance from the terminus of the gear segment 112.

1f it be assumed that the first tooth of those in the series 111 be starting to engage the inion 110= the turning of the shaft 105 in tie direction of the arrow, will cause a corresponding turning of the gear 10T and consequently the rack 9 will be run into the compression chamber. advancing thc plunger and compressing the. hay` but when the plan r has reached the position where the bale' is suitably compressed and is ready to be bound or wired, the teeth 111 will become disenga ed from the pinion 110. The, smooth perip ierv 120 will then, on further turning of wheel 40 in the direction of the arrow, block any retrograde movement of the gear 110 and the wiring of the bale will be proceeded with as will presently appear. iVhen the smooth portion 120 luis passed the gear 110, the teeth 112 engage the gear 110 and still further advance the plunger which brings about the ejection of the completed bale from the baliiig chamber. engagement of the teeth 112 from the gear 110, there is a slight pause in tho movement of the plunger prior to its retraction.

The gear 40 is loosely mounted on shaft 212 by virtue of a sleeve .210 which carries said gear. Secured to the sleeve .210 is an arm 211 which preferably carries an mitifriction roller 912. Journalcd in suitable bearings on the frame is a shaft .2111 which carries a cam arm 211. A pressure member 215 is pivoted to the cani aiiu at .310 and is prarented from dropping b v a shoulder 21T on the cam iirin 214. 'l`he same shaft 105 which carries the gear 10T that operates the plun er of the rack 9, carries an arm 21S wliici has steps .219 and 220 adapted to bc engaged by the pointed end of the pressure member 215. The shaftY 213 is retracted by a spring 221 secured to the frame and to an arm 222, and consequently, the cam arm 214 (in tho dis- Aif) is normally down and both it and the member 9.15 out of the path of the arm 218 when the rack is retreating, as the plunger is being retracted in the com ression chamber. When the plunger Shas een advanced by rotation of the gear 10T to compress the hay and form the bale for wiring, the arm 211. having previously engaged the cam arm 914, and the arm 21S being then in the position shown in Fig. 6, further rotation of the gear 40 causes a final pressure to be exerted byarm 211 through the cam arm 214 and the pressure member 215 against the steps of the arm 218, thus slightly turning the gear 107 and inparting a slight final inward movement to the rack 9 and a final compression to the bail just before it is wired by the wiring mechanism hereinafter described. The arm 2.11, remaining in engagement with the cam arm 214 while the bale is being wired, the bale is held solidlv and against possibilit)v of expansion while such wiring 1s going on. On completion of the wiring of the bale, further rotation of the gear 40 causes the roller 219 to engage the higher part of the cam arm 2l-.i and. thereupon the point of the pressure member 215 drops against the step 220 and finally against the face of the arm 218 to impart a preliminary shove or push to the wired bale before the teeth 112 engage the gear 110 and carry on the final advance of the plunger and the ejection of the completed bale from the balingr chamber. The continued rotation of the gear 40 causes disengagement of the arm 211 from the cam arm 214` whereupon the spring Q21 retructs the cam arm 214 and the pressure member 215` which are then out of the wa v for the retraction of the rack 9 and plunger S. The continued rotation of the gear 40 brings the teeth 115 into engagement with the pinion 113 which` through the gear 114` and pinion 109. causes a very rapid retraction of the plunger due to rcversal of rotation of the shaft 105. During these compressing, baling and eiecting operations. the gates 3 and 4 have been closed and the ha \y has been continuously fed into the receiving chamber l bv the packers 2li and 24 so that when the plunger S has been retracted. the teeth 111. after a brief period of rest. again engage the gear 110 and again force the plunger into the baling chamber to compress the hav, lult this operation docs not occur until the mechanisms hereinafter described have opcncd the gates il uml -i and drawn down the. compressor 5 and said mechanisms have again resumed their normal positions.

The shaft 29 is provided with a clutch 630 of the sinne form as the clutch 45 previously described. and there is loose on said shaft 29 a master wheel fill() to which is pivoted at 650 a latch 66() pressed by a spring 670 and adapted to engage the clutching device G30 when the latch is released. The latch is, however, normally held free of engagement with the clutch G30 by engagement of the head GSO thereof with a laterally extending trip (390 on a longitudinallyv slidable rod 223 extending along the side of the baling box under the gates 3 and t thereof to the expulsion end of the baling box. The trip G90 is urged upwardly b v a vertically movable rod 710 whose. lower end is loosely seated at T2 in the fraaie.` said rod being urged upwardly by a spring Ti. The mounting of the rod Tft) at T2 is such that the rod T10 can swing according to the movement imparted to thc rod 21225 so that the trip Gilt) can be withdrawn from the head tit) of thc latch (ititi.

At the rear end of the compression chamber inside thereof, is a pressure member or falso end 2:24 which is pivotcd at its` upper end 225 and against which the hay is fed into the receiving chamber above thc gates 8 and 4 and below the compressor 'l he rod 22B is connected to the pressure member .224 at 226 and is spring-actuated b v a spring 22T having an abutment ou a guide .228 ou the side 0f the baliug chamber and also acting on an adjustable collar 22S) carried by the rod ."l". B v adjusting the collar 229, the tension or pressure thc false end .224 will stand before it yields` under thc pressure of the hay in the receiving chamber can be regulated as desired, and consequently. the pressure of the hay which will be withstood bcfore tripping and releasing the amstel' wheel G40, can be regulated. The. stationary cud 230 of thc ieceiving chamber is provided with an opening 231 through which emerges tho bent end of the rot 2:23.

When the pressure ef the hav fed into the receiving chambe above thc gates 3 and l and below the compressor 5 becomes such that the pressure member Z2-l vields. the rod or bar .223 is shifted longitiulimillv and moves the trip (i90, thus releasing the head (380 of the latch (itil). whereupon the spring (iTO causes the said latch to snap into engagement with the continuously rotating clutch 630 on shaft 2S) and conseuuentlv at that time` the master gea r ti-lt) is positively locked to the shaft Q9 and turns with it. thereupon bringing about operations which will shortly appear.

' Referring now to Figs. l. :'i, it` 1S. l0l 20. the master gear G-ltl is provided on its face opposite that carrring' the latch titl() with gear segments Sl and S2 and with blank arcshaped tracks S13 and Si whose ends terminate where the ends of the gear segments Si and 89. begin. rl`he tracks 82B and Si are in lsubstantiallv the same plane as the gear segments S1 and SQ. there being the omitted 0r cut-out parts 85 and Sti on the wheel (HO cxttriorl)v of the segments Si and 8') and hetween the ends of the tracks S8 and S4. Se-

mm1/s1 cured to the main frame is a bearing block 87 in which are separately journaled shafts 89 and 90. The shaft 8l) has a, Vmutilated gear ll-l provided with-blank partait-2 and'll located opposite to each other and adapted to permit the passage of the tracks S3 and84 during rotation of the master wheel (N without resulting: in turning the gear 94. lho teeth otk the gear 04 are adapted to be engaged by the :fear segments S1 and 82 at certain times. The shaft 89 has'a bevel gear 95 meshing with gear 71 on crank shaft 64. It is through the intermittent turning and arresting: of the rear 94 thatthe rrates :land -l are opened and closed at proper times. The shaft 90 has a gear 102 meshingwith a ecar on shaft and it also carries a mutilated gear 101 of the sinne construction and form as the gear Q-L. and like said gear,-having its mutilated parts adapted to slide. against the tracks S23-and 84 witbontturning the said gear 101 and only bei-ng turned when engaged b v the gear segments 81 and' 82. A leaf spring 103 has a bead 104'wbich is adapted to ride on the periphery of the master wheel 640 or' to snap into the spaces 85 and 86 and prevent icl-le turning of the master wheel G40. This spi-ine: serves as a check to hold the master wheel when the latch G60 is disengaged from'the ebitch'tit). but upon' clutchi'nev of the master wheel 649 to the shaft S29.K the spring 103 is pressed outwardly by the shoulders at the "ends of the tracks- 83 and; 84.

The gates 3 and 4e will remain im' their closed positiont coveringtbe lower or com'- preesion chamber` until the pressure oftbe hay forced' into tbe receivingzf'chambeil bv the packers 23 and 24 becomes such asto move the pressure member Q24. whereupon tho trip (390 is swuner free from the latch 680' and thereupon the latch engages the clutch 030. thus locking;` the master wheel to the sha-ft 9.9 and the masten wheel then turns. The rotation of the master wheel brings-tho ,fzear segment 81- opposite pinion 94.-,- whereupon tho brief eugzaaement of the said seiz-` incnt and pinion causes the gates 3- and- 4 to open or separate. and thereafter tho- Inutilated part ol" the ,fzear D'enguges the track Fil which. holds it Stationaay with the gates open. The turning' ot' the masterwheel'6404 thereafter brings the aearsegment into en'- ragzcment with the pinion 101.5 whereupontbo compressor ismoved.I downwardly to force theA hay into. thel balia-ig chamber` thenlungcr 8 then being' in retracted positi'ont The descent oli' theV compressor fr elovates the points of the packers 23' and'fM andwh-ile they still continuo to operate. theyV are disengaged. from thehay'and the eed-'offtho hav to the receiving cha ruben-ie eut' of- The knife 5* severs the hay in'V tliesreeeiving. chamber from that exterior thereto. A

i complete revolution ofthe master wheel Se()4 having ensued, the gates 3 and 4 having first opened` the compressor 5 has descended` the compressor has ascended and the gates have been closed. After these operations. the crank-o4 strikes the end 53 of the trip lever o1, thereupon releasingr the trip -lS from the latch 41 which then locks the operating wheel l0 and the shaft 32` whereupon the pluuefer 8 advances and compresses the hav into the hailing chamber: the final compression of tho bale is effected bv the, parts 211. 214. 215 and 218: the compresion devices are locked while the bale is beineT wired or bound and the wiring: mechanism starts to operate` as will now appear.

The mechanisms for wiring?r the bale, clamping. twisting and severine` the wirineT of the bale from the wire of tho reels and the unlatchingr of the gate at the delivery end of the balihg chamber are all operated and controlled bv a longitudinally extending' shaft 232. This shaft carries at one end the gear or pinion Q33 whose teeth are. complete andadapted to be engaged by the teeth 119 on the wheel 40. such engagement occurring only when the plunger has been run into the baling chamber to compress and form the ba-le and during the inaction of the plunger actuating mechanism` for it will be observed that tho gear segment 11i) is placed between the gear segments 111 and 11'. which are, respectively, for the purpose. of running the plimeer into the baliner chamber to compress the linie and, for ejccting the bale. As shown in Fig. 18, the pinion Q33 has an integral disk Q34 provided with a flattened portion 235 which is adapted to bear on the track 1.18 and thus prevent any turning of the shaft .232 during the entire. rotation of the gear except when the pinion .233 is engaged by the gear segment 119. Consequently, thel bindings1 or wiring mechanism now to be described, is inoperative except when the pinion 233 is thus engaged.

The plunger 8 is of the. construction set forth in ymy Patent No. 1.040.278 being provided with horizontal `grooves in its face. and with spring-actuated arms having pulleys to enmlge the baling wires. As in my patcnt, the sides of the baling box or chamber are provided with slots .236 at the rear ends ofwhich arepivotcd catches 28T which are adapted to catch the baling wire and hold it as the hay is being1r pressed down from thc receiving chamber into the baling chamber and thus prevent any-interference with the hayg and further, to catch the baling wires pressed forward by the plunger 8 when a previously wired bale is being ejected. Spools or reels 289 carryingthe wires 240 employed vin' bindingor wiring the bale, are suitab y positioned.v The catches 23T I dispose oppositely to those of my patent, as I have found' that better results are obtained by this arrangement.

The delivery or ejection end of the baling chamber is closed by a gate 241 hinged at its upper part at 242 and held at its lower edge by a catch 243 which is pivoted at 244 and whose outer end is inclined so that the gate or door 241 will re-latch itself by gravity after the balehad been ejected. The latch 243 is actuated by a spring 245 which tends to keep the door 241 locked. The shaft 232 carries arm 246 having pin 247 which is adapted to engage, at. the proper time, the end 24S of an uulatching bar 249 which is pivetally connected to the latch 243. This mechanism is so timed that it will operate iiist before the plunger S starts to eject the ale.

The erosswise operating needles and the longitudinally operatingr or loopingr needles are both controlled and operated from the Same wabble cam 250 carried by shaft 232.

r1`hc erosswise operating needles 251 which are of the improved form shown in Figs. 1. 2, are of are shape form and are carried by a swinging frame 262 which is pivoted at. 253 to a part of the frame above the compressor 5 and at 244 below the balingz chamber where the latch 243 is pivoted. The pivots for the latch 243 and frame 252 need not coincide. The needles 251 swing to and fro erosswise of the halin.r chamber aecording as the frame 252 is swung by the wabble cam 250. the frame 252 carrying a roller 254 which is received in the channel 255 of the cam 250.

The eye of each needle 251 is of the improved construction shown in Figs. l-24. There is a laterally extending or transverse eye or opening 256 through which the wire 240 passes. in transverse relation thereto, when the needles are retracted. Leading to the eye 256 is a slot 257 whose plane is augularly arranged in relation to the length of the needle, said slot extending through the needle and openinf,r out at diametrically opposite points 258.259 of said needle which entrances or mouths are each at substantially ninety degrees distant from the transverse eye or openingr 256. A pulley or -shcare 260 is journaled within the needle 251 on an axis 261 which extends transversely of the needle as does the eye 256. ()ne half of the periphery of the sheave 260 faces the slot 257. The needle is provided with a eutout portion 262. Normally the wire 240 runs through the eye 256, but when the wabhle cam 250 acts on the roller 245 tov swing the needles 251 across the baling chamber in the grooves or channels of the plunger 8, the looping of the wire 240 which 1s thus carried across the baling chamber causes it to at once slip into the slot257 and by the eeuliar formation of said slot, the wire is ireeted to the pulley or sheave 260 so that the looped portions of the wire 240 lie at ninety degrees distant from their normal positionsl with the lower stretches of the loops bridging the eut-out portions 262 of the needles. The travel of the needles is such that when they emerge from the opposite side of the baling chamber. the portions 240 of the wires are in position to be en gaged by the longitudinally movable or looping needles 263 which are of substantially the construction set forth in my Patent No. 1,040.278.

The loopin, needles 263 are operated by a bar 264 which is pivoted at 265 to the arm 266, in turn pivoted at 241 and on its other end carrying a roller 26T which is received in the channel 265 of cam 250. Normally. the roller 254 is located at the point 268 of the cam 250 and the roller 267 just below the point. and consequently the needles 251 and 263 are in retracted position. Vhen the shaft 232 is turned. the roller 2.6i is moved into the true part of the cam 250. thus projecting the needles 251 across the bale box and they there dwell until the cam turns around so that the roller 267 is actuated by the point of the cam to move the needles 263 toward the door 241 so that they will catch the looped portion 240 of the. wire. Clamping. twisting and cutting o't' the wires around the bale then follow and the loose ends ot the wire from the reels are held while the wire bale is being ejected. as in my Patent No. 1,040,278. but these mechanisms are of improved construction and operated in a new manner over the disclosures of that patent. The cam 250 cooperates with the roller 267 to initially dispose the hooked ends of the needles 263 beyond the inner ends 230'` of the slots 236 in position to engasze the part 240 of the wire when it is subsequently proieeted through the ends 236 by the needles 251.

As in my former Patent No. 1.040.279. I employ catches 269 coupled to and actuated by a spring: 270 and arranged adiacent the ends 236 of the slots 236 so as to be adapted to emzage the wire brought across the b-ilinl box by the needles 251 to hold it when the needles 263 form the loop.

Referring to Figs. 3. 4. and 13. the wire clamps 271 that hold the wire while the twisters are forming the twists are eonneeted by a bar 272 as in my patent and are, simultaneously operated to hold the wire in the notches 273 in plate 274 by a lever 275 pivoted at 276 at the bottom of the bale box and retracted by a sprinrz 277 which normally holds the clamps 271 in raised position. A cam 278 on the shaft 232 operates the clamps 271 at the proper time.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 14. the frame 270 which holds the rotary twister-s is moved to and fro in relation to the bale box hv a lever 280 pivoted to the bottom of the halo box at 281 and haring an extension connected to the links 282. A cam 283 on shaft 932 is adapted to cooperate with the lever 980 at the proper time to move the twister frame 279 toward the side of the baling box to canse the wires to enter the twisting wheels .234 to bring about| the twist in the wires which have been iassed around the bale. rl`hc twisting wheels which etfect the twisting are the same as set forth iu my Patent No. 1.040.978 and are intergeared as in that patent. rl`he twister frame is retracted from the side of the baling chamber by spring 285 before the needles .263 are moved to the ends 202- of the slots 230 so that they will be out of the path of said needles.

The twisting wheels 284 are rotated from their gears bv chain and sprocket gearing 286 operated by a shaft. 2ST which is turned from a cross shaft. 28S below the baling` chamber by gears E289. The shaft 2518 is periodically operated. at the proper time. from shaft 239. disk wheel or mutilated gear Q90. carried by shaft 282. has a gear segment 291 and a track 292. The shaft 288 carries a pinion Q93 which is adapted to engage with gear scrlnent 291 but at all other times of the rotation of shaft Qt 2, the blank portion 2.94 of the pinion 293 rides on the track 292 to thereby keep the shaft 288 from idle tnrnine. The pinion 293 and shaft 288 are turned one revolution by the wheel Q90 and the action is timed to take etect when the twister is in position to twist the wires which have been passed around the bale.

Improvements on the cutting'aad holding.` mechanism are shown in Figs. 4, 11. 12,15, 25. The rotary or armed cutters .295 are provided with notches 296 in their sides and with teeth 297, the latter being adapted to be engaged by pawls or catches Q98 to pre vent backward turning of the rotary cutters. The rotarv cutters are turned. step b v step, by a bar Q99 which has teeth 300 adapted to engage the teeth 29T diametrically opposite from where other ones of these teeth are cnoa ged bv the catches or pawls 298. A spring 301 which is located between the plates 302 which carry the cutters. has its free ends bearing on the bar .299 and forcing it toward the cutters so that it is adapted to engage them. The bar 299 is periodically raised. to turn the cutters 295 one step, b v a lever 303 having a pin-andslot connection 'lfll with the bar Q99 and pivoted beneath the bale box at 305. cam 306 carried by the shaft Q32 is set and timed to coiiperate with the. lever 309 at the proper time to actunte it. and turn thc cutters. The lever 303 is retracted. after it passes oft' of cam 306. by a spring 307.

A further improvement is the provision of slots or holes 308 in one of the plates B02 which are arranged so that the piece of waste wire can fall out and thus clogging of the cutters and operating mechanism is prevented. 'Ihe slots 809 which receive the wire near the twisted portion are provided with otisets 310 where the wire is cut by the notched portion Qllti of the cutter.

The feeding of the hay. its deliver)` into the compression ehamlwr` and thc formation and final compression ot' the bale have all been previously set forth. 'l`be bale having been formed` it is wired and the bale, wires` twisted and severed and the loose ends of the wire from tho reels held in the same general manner set forth in my Patent. No. 1,040,278 by the operation of the improved mechanisms bercinbeforc described. 'l`hc advance of the plunger S as it ejccts the bale, carries forward the wire from the reels intermediate the ends thereof which are held, and the wire is engaged by the catches 237 as it is forced past them by the plunger. Consequently. when the plunger is retracted. the wires are in position so that they encom pass the outer end and the sides of the bale and when the crosswisc operating needles 2.51 operate the wire is carried across the rear end of the bale and is caught by the clamps Q09. then looped by the needles Q93, twisted and severed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a baling machine. a feeder comprising packers, links pivotally connected to one end portion of said packers and serving as an anchoring` means therefor. the other end portion of each of said packers being free to engage the material to be fed. and an operating crank shaft engaged with the packers intermediate their ends.

2. In a baling machine. a feeder comprising packers, means for operating said packers, shiftahle anchoring means for the packers independent of said operating means, whereby their movement or throw by the operating means is controlled. said anchoring means being shiftahle to different. positions to dispose. the packers in operative or inoperative position.

3. In a baling machine` a feeder comprising packers.. means for operating the packers. links engaged with the packers and adapted to control their movement, and a shiftable anchorage for said links, whereby the packers may be disposed in operative or inoperative position.

4. In a baling machine, the combination with a chamber, of a movable compressor adapted to act upon the material in said chamber, a settable feeder adapted to deliver the material to the chamber. operating means for said feeder. and means independent of said operating means connecting the feeder to the compressor. whereby theI movement of said compressor sets the feeder in feeding or non-feeding condition.

5. In a baling machine. the combination with a chamber, of a niovahlc compressor l titl operating therein, a feeder comprisin packers and operating means therefor, sai

feeder being adapted to deliver material to said chamber, and links connecting the packers to the compressor, whereby the movement of the compressor disposcs the operative portions of the packers in nonfeeding position.

6. In a baling machine, the combination of compression and receiving chambers, a movable compressor operating in the receiving chamber adapted to force the material from the receiving chamber into the coinpression chamber, a billing plunger operable in the compression chamber, and a feeder whose feeding and nou-feeding action is controlled by the com iressor.

T. In a baling mac iine, the combination of compression and receiving chambers, a. movable compressor operating in the receiving chamber adapted to force the material from the receiving chamber into the comression chamber, a baling plunger operable in the com nession cham er, a feeder comprising pac {ersfadapted for delivering the material into the receiving chamber, and an operative connection between the packers and the compressor, whereby, on the movement of the com ressor into the receiving chamber, the pac ters are disposed in nonfeeding position.

8. In a baling machine, the combination of compression and receiving chambers, a movable compressor operating in the receiving chamber adapted to force the material fromvthe receiving chamber into the comression chamber, a billing plunger operable in the compression chamber, a crank shaft, packers operated by said crank shaft having parts adapted to engage and feed the inaterial to the receiving chamber, and links connecting the packers to the compressor, whereby, when the compressor moves into the receiving chamber, the feeding parts of the packers are shifted and disposed in nonfeeding position.

9. In a baling machine, the combination with a compression baling chamber, of a plunger operable therein, operating means for said plunger adapted to advance the plunger to compress or form the bale, give a final short movement to the plunger to eflect final compression of the bale and retain the plunger thereafter while the bale is being bound, again advance the plunger to eject the balavand finally to retract the plunger.

10.-In a baling machine, the combination with n compression or baling chamber, of a plunger operable therein, operating means for effecting the requisite movements of the plunger comprising a rack, pinion meshing therewith, and means for rotating the pinion in one direction or the other, an arm rotatable with the pinion; and locking or blocking means adapted to cooperate with said arm to prevent retrograde movement of the plunger when the bale is under compression.

1l. In a. baling machine, the combination with a compression or baling chamber, of a plunger operable therein, operating means for effecting the requisite movements of the plunger comprising a rack, pinion meshing therewith, and means for rotating the pinion in one direction or the other, an arm rotatable with said pinion, a cam arm, a pressure member adapted to be interposed ietween the cam arm and the arm first-named, and an operating arm controlled by the means that turns the pinion and adapted to engage the cam iirin to position and hold it and` the iressuro arm so that tho pressure arm will lilock the pinion and prevent retrograilo movement of the plunger when theA bale is under compression.

12. In a baling machine, the combination with a compression or baling chamber, of a plunger operable therein, and operating and controlling means adapted to advance the plunger to compress or form the bale, iinpart a final compression movement to the plunger, and lock or block the plunger while the bale is being bound, comprising a rack and inion, means for driving the pinion' in one irection or the other, an arm rotatable with the pinion and provided with a plurality of steps, and a pressure member for engaging said steps which is in turn, subject to the control of the operating means.

13. In a baling machine, the combination with a compression or baling chamber, of a plunger operable therein` and operating and controlling means adapted to advance the plunger to compress or form the bale, impart a final compression movement to the plunger, and lock or block the plunger while the bale is being bound, comprising a rack and pinion, means for driving the pinion in one direction or the other, an arm rotatable with the pinion and provided with a plurality of stops, a spring retracted cam aini, a pressure member pivoted to and carried by the cam arm and adapted to engage the steps aforesaid, and a rotarily mounted arm driven by the operatine means and adapted to engage, move, slightly advance. and block the cam arm and thereby, through the iressure member and stepped arm, control the plunger as aforesaid.

14. In a baling machine, the combination with a compression chamber` of a receiving chamber. said chambers being in communication, means for forcing the material from the rcceivin chamber into the compression chamber, a aling plunger operating in the compression chamber, means controlling the operation of the plunger, a hinged or pivoted member or false end for the receiving chamber, and a spring-actuated controlling rod connected to said pressure member or ismael false end and adapted to control the operatien of the pluneer driving means aforesaid, the pressure of the material in the receiving chamber actino; on said false end being normilly sustains by the spring tension of the ro l5. In a baling machine, the combination of compression and receiving chambers, a two-part gate adapted to close or open communication between said chambers, a compressor ada ted to operate in the receiving chamber, a aling plun er adapted to operate in the compression c amber, crank shafts connected to the respective sections of the two-part gate, a cross shaft havin gear connections with the crank shafts, w ereby they Vare simultaneously and equally rotated, and means for rotating the crank shafts at predetermined times.

1G. ln a baling machine, the combination with a baling box or chamber of needles adapted to operate crosswise thereof, needles coperating therewith adapted to operate longitudinally of the baling box or chamber, an operating shaft, a cam thereon, and operative connections between said cam and the respective needles whereby they are all controlled and operated by said cam.

17. In a baline; machine, the combination with a baling box or chamber, of needles adapted to operate crosswise thereof, necdles coperating therewith adapted to 0perate longitudinally of the balinz box or chamber, an operating shaft, a wabble cam, a pivoted frame carrying the crosswise operating needles which is controlled and operated by the cam, and a pivoted frame carrying;r the longitudinally operating needles which is also controlled and operated by said cam.

18. In a baling machine, the combination with a baling box or chamber, of two sets of needles, one set being adapted to operate crosswise of the box or chamber and the other set longitudinally thereof, one Set of needles havin f hooks or the like and the needles of the other set being provided with an eye or opening and a slot leadin from said opening, said slot being angular y arranged in relation to the length of the needle and emerging through the sides thereof at points offset in relation to the eye or openin, aforesaid, whereby the baln wires carrie by the last-named needles will be automatically shifted into position for engagement by the hooked needles on the advance of said wire-carrying needles.

19. n a baling machine, the combination with a baling box or chamber, of two sets of needles, one set being adapted to operate longitudinally of the box or c iambcr and the other set crosswise thereof, one set of needles having hooks or the like and the n eedles of the other set bein provided with an eye or opening,` and a s ot leading` from said o ening, said slot being angularly arrange in relation to the length of the needle and emerging through the sides thereof at pointsV otiset in relation to the eye or opening aforesaid, and a sheave or pulley having a portion of its periphery exposed to the offset portion of the slot, whereby the baln wires carried by the last-named needles wi l be automatically shifted into engagement with the sheaves of Said needles and positioned for en agement by the hooked needles on the a vance of said wire-carrying needles.

20. In a baling machine, the combination of a baling wire clamping or holding device, a baling wire twisting` device, a baling wire cutting device, an operating shaft, cams carried by the operating shaft, pivotcd levers controlled by said cams, there being one lever for each of said devices, and a directoperated intermittently acting,r means for drivin the twister from the operating shaft.

21. n a baling machine, a baling wire cutting mechanism comprising a plate having wire receiving notches and openings adapted to discharge the waste wire, and cutters arranged to coperate with said notches and o enings.

22. n a billing machine, a billing wire cutting mechanism comprising a plate having wire receiving notches and openings adapted to discharge the waste wire, and cutters having wire receiving notches in their sides adapted to coperate with the aforesaid notches and openings.

23. In a baling machine, the combination with a plurality of rotary wire cutters havingr teeth, of pawls adapted to cngasre the teeth to prevent backward turning of said cutters, and an actuating bar having teeth adapted to engage the teeth of the cutters.

24. In a baling machine, the combination with a baling box or chamber, of a selfclosing door therefor hinged at its upper end, a spring-retracted pivoted latch for said door, a main operating shaft, a wiper arm carried thereby, and an unlatching bar connected to the latch and adapted for actuation by said wiper arin.

ROY A. COLLINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for are esi-its cach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, il. 

